Human remains found in two wells: a forensic entomology perspective

Abstract

When estimating the time since death or manner of death, the identification and the pathological evaluations of a body are generally impeded by post mortem changes. Research and case studies help experts to achieve a more accurate diagnosis, but at present there is scant literature covering topics concerning forensic science and decompositional processes in aquatic environments. The two case studies presented each involve a decomposed body found in a unique aquatic environment; namely wells containing ground water. In Case 1 an entomologist attended the scene and in Case 2 an entomologist was only involved after 20 months when it was decided that the insect evidence collected at the second autopsy may be useful in determining a time frame. The first case highlights the problems associated with body retrieval from aquatic environments as the body was removed it dismembered. Fortunately, the well was able to be drained, so much of the insect evidence was retrieved. In the second case the body was found dismembered but the entomological evidence was overlooked and lost. During the second autopsy insects were found, collected, and sent to an entomologist to help clarify the post mortem interval.

Mann RW, Bass WM, Meadows L. Time since death and decomposition of the human body: variables and observations in case and experimental field studies. J Forensic Sci. 1990;35:103–11.PubMedGoogle Scholar

Speight MCD. Species accounts of European Syrphidae (Diptera), Glasgow 2011. Syrph the Net, the database of European Syrphidae. Vol. 65. Syrph the Net publications; 2011.Google Scholar

28.

Pérez-Bañón C. Marcos García MA. Description of the immature stages of Syritta flaviventris (Diptera: Syrphidae) and new data about the life history of European species of Syritta on Opuntia maxima. Eur J Entomol. 2000;97:131–6.Google Scholar